title: The use and acceptability of electronic cigarettes among New Zealand smokers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate New Zealanders' use, perceptions and views on the acceptability of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes).
  
  
  METHODS
  840 current smokers and recent quitters were recruited through random digit dialling as part of the New Zealand Smoking Monitor (NZSM), a 33-item telephone-based survey delivering 120 interviews per fortnight. Two sets of questions were deployed at different times to assess ever-purchase of e-cigarettes, perceptions of the safety and cessation efficacy of e-cigarettes, and acceptability of using them instead of tobacco cigarettes or as a cessation aid.
  
  
  RESULTS
  7% of the sample reported having purchased an e-cigarette. One-third of respondents believed them to be safer to use than tobacco cigarettes, and could help people quit smoking tobacco. Forty-one percent considered it acceptable to use e-cigarettes as a replacement product and 58% as a cessation aid. Responses differed according to ethnicity, age and household income.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Purchasing (and therefore we assume, use) of e-cigarettes in New Zealand is uncommon. Despite this finding, many respondents viewed e-cigarettes in a positive light and indicated willingness to use them. Ongoing monitoring on the use of and public attitudes towards this emerging product is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Research and Evaluation, Health Promotion Agency, PO Box 2142, Wellington 6140, New Zealand. j.li@hpa.org.nz
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bullen
authors.forename: Rhiannon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Newcombe
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Darren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Walton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012449:Safety; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult